Toyota ‘ready’ with powerful hybrid for Scion FR-S

DIRECTINPUT~ This image has been directly inputted by the user. The photo desk has not viewed this image or cleared rights to the image. The image will be purged from Merlin in 14 days unless it is outputted for production or arrangements are made with the photo desk. 2013 Scion FR-S. Photo credit: Nick Tragianis for National Post

PHOTO: Nick Tragianis, Postmedia News

By Nick Tragianis, Postmedia News

Originally published: September 12, 2013

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Arguably the biggest challenge Toyota faces with the GT-86 and Scion FR-S is increasing horsepower to please the rallying cry of automotive enthusiasts across the globe. Forced induction or an increase in displacement are still under consideration, but Toyota might be going another way, according to Autocar UK.

Koei Saga, Toyota’s senior manager of drivetrain engineering, says the hybrid powertrain for the GT-86 is “quite advanced now, so if the green light is given, [Toyota is] ready to do it.” One of the star features of the GT-86/FR-S is the fact that it is lightweight; while this system will undoubtedly pack on a few pounds, one look at the Yaris Hybrid R concept and there will be no denying a hybrid powertrain could be used for sporting purposes in a Toyota.